District News and Notes
March 2024
Reverse Raffle
Athletic Boosters Reverse Raffle is Saturday, March 16, 6 p.m @ the New Riegel American Legion.
Eclipse
With no school and practices announced for April 8, the April board meeting will be Wednesday, April 10 @ 6 p.m.
Kindergarten Screening
Kindergarten screening will be open to the general public on April 26. All district and potential open enrollment students are asked to pre-register in advance of the screening. If you have any questions, please contact the elementary school office at 419-595-2265
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment will be from May 1 to May 31. Applications will be available on the school website starting on May 1 at 7 a.m.
Facilities
Cutting Edge has presented the most cost-effective solution for concrete repairs. The proposed work includes removing and installing the front high school entrance sidewalk, the north side elementary entrance, replacement of additional sidewalk, infilling of slabs, and replacement work on the handicapped mat near the JH gymnasium. The total cost for this project is $36,636.50, funded by the permanent improvement funds, which is reserved for projects with a lifespan exceeding five years.
ADA Access Path Around Baseball and Softball Fields - We requested quotes to install a 7' wide path around the baseball and softball fields, enhancing ADA access and providing a pleasant pathway for our community. We anticipate a subsequent quote for asphalt work on the path, and this will be shared once received.
Parking Lot - Tri County Sealing has provided the most competitive quote at $34,122.00 for the sealing of asphalt, a necessary maintenance step given that five years have passed since our last treatment.
JH Exterior - Quotes are currently being obtained for the painting of the JH building, and we will share these details as soon as they become available.
Heating and Electrical Systems Audit - To ensure the longevity of the JH gym building, we are undergoing a free audit of our heating and electrical systems. Given the age of these systems (over 40 years), understanding potential replacement costs will help us plan for the long term.
Concession Stand Plans and Bids - Blueprints for the concession stand are still pending, and once completed, we will proceed with sending out requests for bids.
Personnel
Approved a one-year, as needed contract as School Psychologist to Morgan Bannerman for
the 2024-25 school year.
Approved volleyball varsity coach, Cindy Hoepf and varsity golf coach Trey Yates for the 24-25 school year.
Fundraisers Approved
High School Curriculum & Instruction
Our junior students will be taking the ACT on Thursday, March 14th. The cafeteria will be providing breakfast prior to testing. Students who are testing will be dismissed after completing the assessment.
The March professional development for staff will focus on consistent course syllabi for the 2024-2025 school year, preparation for state testing season and reviewing grading procedures. We will also again partner with the K-5 staff for an executive functioning session with our speech and occupational therapists and end the day with a team building competition.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture invited students to attend a training by the North Dakota Grain Inspectors Association and earn a 12pt credential Commodity Inspector Certification. Area employers encouraged our students to participate and are offering hiring incentives to students who obtained the credential.
Elementary Curriculum & Instruction
On March 15th, K-12 staff will receive professional development from our speech and occupational therapists regarding signs of struggles with executive functioning and strategies to support students in the classroom. K-3 staff will complete their last module on our new Word Study Curriculum, Really Great Reading. Staff in grades 3-5 will review strategies to support students’ success on the upcoming OST assessments in April for ELA and Math.
Spring NWEA window is open for K-5 students to take the ELA and Math assessments. Data will be available at the beginning of May that will showcase the annual growth shown. Staff chose 1 student for both the ELA and Math assessment that showed perseverance, stamina and effort to receive a Bob Award and Certificate. All students who were chosen as a Bob test winner will receive extra opportunities during our Bob Party at the end of the year.
High School Student Activities
Our Sentinel students participated in SkillsUSA competitions on February 16th as part of the Northwest Ohio Regional Championships.
FFA State Officer Lauren Thornill visited the FFA program in preparation for Ag week and led activities on leadership and team work with our Agriculture students.
The music department has entered competition season. The High School OMEA Solo & Ensemble contest was held in February with students earning superior ratings. Students participated in the Heidelberg School of Music Honors Festival on February 19th. Middle school students are preparing for the OMEA Solo & Ensemble competition on March 23rd. Middle school band students have also been accepted into the BGSU Middle School Honors Band.
Elementary Student Activities
K-5 students and staff continued our theme, Wonderful World, Wonderful Life SAIL theme during this month’s SAIL meeting. This month students learned about the Taj Mahal. The S.A.I.L. habit that will be promoted this month is “be mindful”. Staff and students will look for opportunities to improve our classrooms, and school environment and culture. Teachers will promote this habit in classrooms and recognition with SAIL tickets.
During this month’s SAIL meeting, student leaders from 3rd grade presented to the student body about Math Night and previewed all the math games and raffle prizes.
Family / Community Events
All junior students visited Heidelberg University as part of Seneca County Higher Education day on March 6th. Students were able to speak with college representatives about higher education opportunities available to them.
Math Night was held on Thursday, March 7th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm. Over 125 students and their families attended the event. Families were able to explore various math games, compete in math game tournaments, win math raffle prizes and enjoy snacks. All families received math game activities and materials to take home. The PTO and ABC provided funding to support this event.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Career Day was held on March 8th and interested students attended sessions throughout the day.
Students in K-5 will participate in a wiffle ball tournament on Thursday, March 14th as well and enjoy cracker jacks and juice to celebrate all of the hard work and success during Quarter 3.
The Pep Band has been invited to be the musical entertainment for the School of Opportunity Celebrity Basketball Game on March 14th.
During the week of March 18th, students in Mr. Horner’s Ag class will work with elementary classes including making homemade butter, ice cream, competing in a tricycle tractor pull, Ag trivia as well as exploring a petting zoo. The high school students will showcase a tractor parade at the end of the week for students before dismissal.
The Fostoria police department will host a presentation to 8th and 9th grade students on March 22nd. The focus will be on careers in law enforcement and situations officers encounter daily. Members of the Fostoria Police Department will also present to K-5 students on safety procedures. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about police dogs, drones and detective work.
We are proud to announce that we have a poster winner for the 3rd year in a row at New Riegel Elementary. Allie Orian’s billboard design was chosen to represent the O.S.S. Solid Waste District to promote taking care of our Earth. Allie’s design will be displayed on the billboard at the intersection of Rt. 224 and 23 in April.